Dog Fouling
More than 250,000 tonnes of dog faeces is deposited in the UK each year. Fortunately most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their dogs, depositing the faeces with their own household waste or using proper dog waste bins.
Many irresponsible owners do not do this. Dog mess left in public places is unpleasant and offensive on school routes, children’s play areas and sports fields. Dog faeces can carry a dangerous disease called toxocariasis which can cause severe problems to children’s health.
The law
The Dogs (Fouling on Land) Act 1996 makes it an offence for a dog owner or walker not to remove their dog’s faeces from land to which the public have access. With very few exceptions, this applies to all public land within East Hampshire (the Act does not include private drives and gardens).
The dog wardens regularly patrol the district and will issue anyone seen contravening the act with a fixed penalty fine of £50, as will other officers authorised to do so by the council.
Offenders may be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000.
How to be responsible
When walking your dog, always take a poop scoop or bags with you. It is your duty as a dog owner to clean up after your dog. You can train your dog to foul in your own garden, which makes it easier for you to clean up.
Leaving a bag full of dog mess in a public place does not comply with the law unless it is put in a bin.
To prevent the spread of disease, make sure children wash their hands when they have been playing with a dog or somewhere that dogs have been.
Make sure that your dog is given worming tablets regularly in accordance with your vet’s instruction as the roundworm Toxocara canis, which is commonly carried by dogs, can affect humans.
If you see someone failing to clean up after their dog and you know the owner’s details, please report it to the dog warden. They will be written to and your name will not be mentioned. Should an offender who has already been written to commit a subsequent offence, the witness should come forward and the Council will consider prosecution.